“What more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight…
“And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” Hebrews 11:32–34, 39–12:3
These saints of old took life seriously, driven by a faith in God that was larger than their circumstances or ability. The ‘greater’ that drove them to conquer was faith in One who was inimitably able and ever true to His word. Jesus who founded their faith was working to perfect it upon every act and exercise. Their endurance when harrowed was fueled by hope in the joy to come.
In present life, what is before us becomes our urgent, and huge. We scrape and choose and toil, often in our own effort and limited strength with very limited perspective on the bigger picture. My life, my circle, my day take preeminence because that’s what’s important to me, now. What we learn from this cloud of witnesses is the part that faith and a long view play in every decision we make, every action we undertake.
Life is bigger than my provincial world, yet how I manage what’s appointed just to me has a bearing on wider influence and conquest. What kingdoms of personal habit or management of people or work assignment would the Lord have us take on, and master? What sins is God calling us to conquer? What justice would He have us righteously condone or enforce? What promises would He have us apply to present situations? Where are we weak that He wants to make us strong? What mental and practical tendencies that are foreign to a godly life have set up strongholds, and are encroaching? How would He have us put them to flight? What first step will we by faith take today?
Is living by faith an impossible command? When we think we need to muster our own gumption, it is. But when we realize that even faith is a gift from God, and ask for it, and surrender our will to His working through us, we can by faith do all He puts before us. What need I turn from in order to fix my eyes and faith on the unseen, and begin to think and act victoriously? (Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:8–10; Hebrews 13: 20–21)
Lord, arm me with Your truth, and help me conquer kingdoms in my sphere of influence and the world, to your renown and glory.
As the rain and snow 